Xuzhou is an important town in Kinki, adjacent to Kaifeng Prefecture, right under your nose.
Nagasha is a prefectural city, nearly two hundred miles away from Tokyo. It has a long history and profound heritage. When the Jin Dynasty was overthrown and the Han Dynasty was rising, the Khitan cavalry raided the Central Plains. Xuzhou was a close neighbor of Kaifeng, and the Li people suffered greatly.
When the Khitan retreated and Liu Han advanced to occupy the Central Plains, the officials and people of Xuzhou had a moment of respite, and Liu Zhiyuan led the Zhongwu Army to Jiedushi with Shi Hongzhao. Shi Hongzhao was in Tokyo, and his subordinate general Yang Yi was in charge of the affairs of the town. He was greedy, cruel and cruel, relying on his power to bully others.
Later, Liu Xin was moved to Xuzhou. With Liu Xin in Shangliang, how could Xialiang be upright? He was not a good person for two consecutive towns. Until Liu Xin was demoted from Tokyo by Liu Chengyou and settled in Changshe, then Xuzhou's officials, ranging from the bureaucrats and generals to the industrial and commercial leaders of Guizhou, became even more miserable in Japan and China.
Liu Xin was originally a greedy and cruel man, but he was expelled from the capital. He vented his resentment and anger on the officials and people of Xuzhou. He frequently cursed, frequently punished cruelly, and sometimes raided and tyrannized the people. Expecting Liu Huangshu to cultivate his moral character in Xuzhou and change his past mistakes is obviously overthinking.
It can be said that for two years, the officials and people of Xuzhou have really not had much peace. Previously, the imperial court suppressed bandits and recruited refugees. The population of the surrounding states and counties was growing. Only in Xuzhou, there were people fleeing from time to time.
The terrain of Xuzhou is dominated by plains and hills, which is just in time for the early spring. Along the Yingshui River, between Changshe and Linying, there are already large areas of wheat fields that have entered the late growth stage. No matter how difficult life is, farmers under Xuzhou's rule continue to manage and maintain their fields, clear ditches and drains, and dredge field canals. At the same time, they are also preparing for spring plowing. Prepare seeds, cultivate seedlings...
Guqiao Town, located on the edge of Yingshui River, is a larger town under the jurisdiction of Linying County, with a population of thousands. Take advantage of the cold winter to get three or two months of peace. However, soon after the beginning of spring, the rare peace was broken, and an evil guest came to the door.
A group of hundreds of officers and soldiers came with great momentum and stationed themselves at the entrance of the town. Judging from the flag, they were the tooth soldiers subordinate to the Zhongwu Army. The leading military leader, with a rude look on his face, was riding on a horse, looking at Zhendian with eager eyes.
The commotion outside the town has already aroused the vigilance of the officials and people in the town. They beat gongs and drums and gathered behind closed doors to take precautions.
Seeing the commotion in the town, a captain laughed and said, "Commander, this town seems to be gathering troops to resist. I really don't know whether to live or die!"
The commander also showed disdain and ordered: "Go, go up and call the door, call out their general, and tell me that I, commander, have something important to discuss with you!"
"Just rush in. With this broken town, can it really stop us?" Dutou said a little arrogantly.
"Fart!" the battalion commander immediately scolded: "We are officers and soldiers! Don't make any noise, go quickly!"
"yes!"
There was a famous town general in Guqiao Town, appointed by Liu Chongjin, the former Xuzhou Jiedu. Faced with the officers and soldiers with bright swords and guns outside the town, even though he hesitated, he still had to bring his people out in person to ask for the reason.
In terms of rank, the commander of a small military camp is still under the command of this dignified general. However, having soldiers in hand is the last word. Disdainfully looking at the unusually alert town general and others, the Yabing commander held his head high and said in a cold voice: "We are Jiedu Yabing, ordered by the emperor's uncle to collect finance and taxes. When you return to the town, inform the townspeople that we are ready to enter. Offer it!”
The town general couldn't bear his arrogance, but after listening to his words, his face couldn't help but look ugly. He said coldly: "Last year's autumn taxes were paid to the county government. Why should we re-levy them again? It's not appropriate for the Ya army to come here." Behave!"
"The late Emperor's Shanlingzi Palace will be passing through to Ruiling for burial. When the Emperor comes in person, the Emperor's uncle will prepare treasures to welcome him. You are the subjects of the Han Dynasty, and you should contribute money and be filial..." The commander raised his nostrils to the sky and spoke forcefully: "The emperor's uncle has a strict order. Each household must pay two thousand dollars, and no one can disobey it!"
"You don't need to be in front of me. Go back and get ready. I'll give you an hour and a half. After the time has passed and you can't see the treasure, I will lead my troops to get it. By then, if you are injured or disabled, Don’t regret it!”
Hearing this, the town general took a deep breath, figured out his purpose, and without further ado, he turned around and led his people back to the town. He is also a martial artist, so he knows very well that words are useless. If he offends these gangsters, they really dare to bring disaster to the town.
"General, what should I do?" Bu Qu asked worriedly.
"What else can we do? Announce to the whole town to provide money and food! Donate the money and silk within an hour. It is important to avoid disaster!" The town general said depressedly: "They are Jiedu's tooth soldiers. I really offended them. , rush in, can we stop him? Jiedu is the emperor's uncle, how can we compete with him?"
Hearing this, Buqu said angrily: "Uncle Huang, the officers and soldiers of the imperial court are really more greedy and cruel than thieves!"
The general said disdainfully: "How many years have passed, what's so strange about it?"
"Two thousand dollars per household, how can the poor households in the town afford it?"
"Can't afford it? Do you still need me to advance the funds?" A shrewd look suddenly appeared on the town general's face, and he ordered: "Inform the whole town that if the money is not enough, let them get food, land, and houses. Low, I can borrow them temporarily!"
"Tell them that this is the order of Uncle Liu, to be loyal to the late emperor and the emperor, to protect his life, and to donate his wealth to survive. It only takes an hour. If the hour is delayed, don't blame me for coming to pick it up. There will be a big fuss by then. It doesn’t look good!”
"Yes!" Bu Qu has followed the general for many years, and of course he understands what he means. This is another opportunity to make profits.
Soon, Guqiao Town fell into chaos and busyness, and the announcements were mixed with resentment and curses...
Outside the town, Xuzhou's Ya soldiers were resting on the spot, gathering in pairs and chatting.
"It seems that General Gu Qiao is still very aware of current affairs!" Looking at the movement in the town, he said to the commander cheerfully.
The commander couldn't help but feel proud: "Yes, such cooperation will save us strength. It seems that this town will need more!"
Hearing this, they all moved closer to the commander, with worries on their faces, and whispered: "Uncle Huang asked each household to pay a thousand yuan, and we have doubled it. If Uncle Huang hears it..."
"What are you afraid of? It's okay! I have been following the emperor's uncle since Jinyang..." The commander continued to look arrogant: "The emperor eats meat and the emperor drinks soup, so he cannot treat me and other soldiers badly."
"Don't worry, this time, brothers will all have a share!" the conductor waved his hand and said generously.
"Hehe!" They all smiled happily: "The commander said this, I feel relieved!"
"How can the monthly salary paid by the town government be enough to support a family?" the commander said disdainfully.
A situation like the one in Guqiao Town is not an isolated case. It has occurred in several counties under the jurisdiction of Xuzhou, especially in the more affluent counties and towns in the south. In order to welcome Zi Palace and Yujia, Liu Xin sent out almost all his tooth soldiers, two to three hundred men in a group, to plunder prefectures and counties.
